Boho stands in path of fire

12.23pm: ﻿Boho remains on high alert as firefighters battle to control the fast-moving bushfire.

The fire has now burnt about 2000 hectares and is still out of control.

The ‘Watch and Act’ warning affects an area south of the Hume Freeway and bounded by Harry’s Creek Road to the West, Boho Church Road to the East, South of the Hume Freeway and the area North of School Road.

There is still currently smoke over the Hume Freeway between Violet Town and Boho Church Road. Vehicles travelling through this area on the Hume are asked to proceed with caution with lights on.

Fire is still most active on Upper Boho Road and Sawpit Gully Road.

EARLIER: A MAN has suffered burns to his legs as fire crews battled a large, fast-moving and out-of-control blaze heading towards Boho, about 20 kilometres south of Benalla, last night.

The CFA said the 750-hectare fire was creating spot fires one kilometre ahead as it headed in a north-east direction.

More than 40 CFA tankers and five planes are fighting it.

Boho residents without a survival plan had been told to leave.

CFA spokesman Gerard Scholten said the grass fire had started on private property and moved to inaccessible forest, making containment difficult.

“The forests are so dry, with 10 to 15-knot wind they’re ready to burn,” he said.”

The CFA issued alerts by phone and landline.

Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said a man, 60, had been treated for serious burns to 18 per cent of his lower legs but had then refused transport to hospital.

There were fire alerts for the area bounded by Harrys Creek, Hayes, Boho Church and School roads.

Meanwhile, at Harrietville a resident said the community’s spirit had risen after the fire threat to the town was downgraded over the weekend.

The Great Alpine Road from Harrietville to Mount Hotham was reopened as was the Dargo High Plains Road.

About 200 firefighters were still fighting the fire yesterday, assisted by six planes.

Deputy incident controller Stephen Grant said one plane was fitted with an infrared camera to detect fire activity on the north and east fire fronts.

The Harrietville-Feathertop fire, sparked by lightning a week ago, burnt more than 3100 hectares in the Alpine National Park.

Robyn Downey, who lives at the south end of town, said residents were more at ease after playing a waiting game.

“We can’t let our guard down too much, but it’s relief for sure,” she said of the lower fire threat.

Some residents and members of the CFA gathered at the pub on Friday night.

“It was nice to see everyone, just knowing that everyone is in it together,” Mrs Downey said.